Archive · 26 Aug 2026
BMC Demolishes Unauthorised Alterations at Mumbai’s Rustomjee Crown
Mumbai’s city government has started removing building changes it says were not approved.
The work is happening at Rustomjee Crown, a large apartment complex in Prabhadevi.
Some residents allegedly enclosed shared lobby spaces and added them to their apartments.
Other changes involved kitchen ducts, ventilation shafts and parts of rooms.
The BMC said it sent notices and held hearings before taking action in eligible cases.
It said nine flats were affected during two days of demolition.
The civic body plans to recover demolition costs from the concerned occupants.
The developer said the building followed approved plans and that it was cooperating with officials.
The BMC began demolishing alleged unauthorised alterations at Rustomjee Crown in Prabhadevi on August 24.
The civic body said nine flats were affected during the two-day demolition drive.
Reported alterations included enclosing common lobbies, kitchen ducts, ventilation shafts and room portions.
The BMC said notices had been issued to 138 owners or occupants; another report cited 128 notices.
Rustomjee Group said the complex was built under approved plans and that the developer had committed no violations.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, occupants of flats at Rustomjee Crown and Rustomjee Group are involved; activist Santosh Daundkar also filed a complaint about alleged violations.
- What
- The BMC demolished alleged unauthorised constructions and alterations in nine flats.
- When
- The action began on August 24, 2026, and continued on August 25, 2026.
- Where
- Rustomjee Crown, Crown Mill Compound, Prabhadevi, Mumbai.
- Why
- The BMC said the alterations breached sanctioned building plans and Floor Space Index norms after complaints were received.
BMC and complainant’s position
Rustomjee Group’s position
Whether violations occurred
BMC and complainant’s position
The BMC said occupants made unauthorised alterations that breached sanctioned plans and FSI norms, including enclosing common areas and building-services spaces. Activist Santosh Daundkar alleged officials ignored reported violations and sought further investigation.
Rustomjee Group’s position
Rustomjee Group said the construction was carried out under plans approved by the competent authorities and that there were no violations by the developer.
Basis for demolition
BMC and complainant’s position
The BMC said notices, hearings, speaking orders and the prescribed statutory process were completed before action was taken in eligible cases.
Rustomjee Group’s position
The group said it was fully cooperating with authorities, had supplied requested information and was encouraging residents to make corrective changes where necessary.
Responsibility and costs
BMC and complainant’s position
The BMC said demolition costs would be recovered from the concerned occupants and that further action could follow after the required process in other cases.
Rustomjee Group’s position
Rustomjee Group distinguished the developer’s construction from alleged flat-level alterations and denied responsibility for violations by the developer.
- Civic body
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
- Complex
- Rustomjee Crown, a three-basement, ground-floor and 63-storey residential complex
- Location
- Crown Mill Compound, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
- Demolition result
- The BMC said unauthorised constructions or alterations in nine flats were removed over two days.
- Notices
- The BMC cited 138 notices to owners or occupants, while another report cited 128 flat owners.
- Alleged alterations
- Common lobbies, kitchen ducts, ventilation shafts and portions of rooms were allegedly enclosed and incorporated into flats.
- BMC deployment
- The drive involved 15 workers, two supervisors, four engineers, eight police personnel and a demolition contractor.
- Developer response
- Rustomjee Group said the construction complied with approved plans under the 1991 Development Control Regulations and that it was cooperating.
Sources
After notices to 128 flat owners, Mumbai civic body acts on encroachment in high-rise
BMC starts razing illegal constructions, alterations in flats at Rustomjee Crown building in Mumbai
Mumbai: BMC Demolition Drive At Rustomjee Crown In Prabhadevi Continues; 9 Unauthorised Alterations Removed